EXCLUSIVE / Centre-right leaders will greenlight a plan to move towards an EU defence union at the European People’s Party congress in Madrid next week, EurActiv.com has learned.

In a strategic paper which will be adopted at the Congress, and obtained by EurActiv.com, EPP leaders will say that the various crises in Europe’s neighbourhood have taken the bloc to a moment of truth.

“We are going to move towards an EU army much faster than people believe,” said EPP president Joseph Daul to a small group of journalists on Thursday (15 October). The EPP is the largest European-level political party, and currently includes 10 EU and 6 non-EU heads of state and government.

Attempts to move towards a common defence have been part of the European project since its inception. In 1950, French Prime Minister René Pleven proposed a plan for a far-reaching defence integration – including the setting up of European Army and the appointment of a European minister of defence. But France itself killed off the idea before it got off the ground.

Earlier this year, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker sparked outcry when he said the European Union needed its own army to face up to Russia and other threats, as well as to restore the bloc’s standing around the world.

In a strategic note unveiled in June, Michel Barnier, tasked by Juncker to draft a vision for a much more far-ranging Common Security and Defence Policy (CDSP), argued that the “EU’s soft power must be matched by collective hard power and a more efficient use of our €210 billion yearly defence spending.”

The paper published in June was barely noticed in the midst of the Greek crisis. But now confronted by yet another emergency , the refugees and migration crisis, it has become a blueprint for the way forward.

“In today’s security environment, the CSDP stand as one of the weakest spots of the EU’s project for peace, integration and development,“ reads the paper to be adopted by EPP leaders. “Rising threats must now lead to a change in mind-set.”

EPP leaders are determined to respond to rising threats by pushing the European Council to support three new steps, laying the ground for a full-fledged EU Security and Defence Union, and ultimately a European army.

Three step-strategy

As Europe is called to respond to more crisis, it needs a European operational headquarters that will give it the appropriate command-and control framework to plan and run military operations rather than rely on ad-hoc or NATO structures.

“Moving beyond CSDP’s focus on post-conflict and low-intensity missions to being able to conduct territorial defence and higher intensity,” the paper reads.

In building capabilities, the 28-country bloc would need to move from the current patchwork of bilateral and multilateral military collaboration to a more efficient permanent structured cooperation (PESCO), as foreseen in the Lisbon Treaty.

A good example for the PESCO would be the setting-up of a European medical command.

No member state will ever be pushed into joining PESCO, as participation will remain voluntary.

Another area that EPP leaders are pushing to include in that framework is border control and crisis control such as the development of European coastguard capacities or entrust the implementation of such tasks to a group of member states.

Containing Putin and privileging Turkey

Containing Putin’s Russia is at the core of the motivation for rapidly developing a common defence union. “Russian aggression against members of the EU and NATO must be deterred,” will say EPP leaders, according to Congress conclusions. “This presupposes, first of all, a NATO which is militarily stronger thanks to more and smarter defence spending but also higher levels of pooling and sharing of military infrastructure, materiel and personnel between member states of the EU and NATO.”

In the new geopolitical context, EPP leaders see Turkey as a ‘pivotal ‘country in the southeastern neighbourhood and as such needs to be given incentives to better coordinate with EU policies and foster cooperation in the field of security.

“A privileged partnership with Turkey remains a full-fledged alternative for membership in the EU,” the Congress conclusions read.

Forget enlargement fatigue

EPP leaders will also slam so-called enlargement fatigue. “Enlargement has been the most successful European polices and has proven the importance of the EU model,” they insist. “The EU should not be caught up in enlargement fatigue, but should rather keep a pro-EU spirit in the region of the Western Balkans alive and support the aspirations of these countries to join the EU.

“We need to open up much more and develop cooperation with the Western Balkans. We will listen much more to EPP leaders in these countries,” said Joseph Daul.

Background

The Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) replaces the former European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). The Treaty of Lisbon introduces this name change by dedicating a new section in the founding treaties to this policy. The Treaty of Lisbon emphasises the importance and specific nature of the CSDP, which still forms an integral part of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).

The Treaty of Lisbon introduces for the first time a mutual defence clause, specifically binding EU Member States. If a member state is the victim of an armed attack on its territory, it can rely on the aid and assistance of the other member states, which are obliged to help.

Two restrictions moderate this clause:

the mutual defence clause does not affect the security and defence policy of certain Member States, specifically those which are traditionally neutral;

There is still no European expenditure or European defence budget. The crisis in public spending induced cuts in national defence budgets. And as in the preceding Treaties, the CSDP remains a fundamentally intergovernmental issue.

The challenges created by shrinking defence budgets are aggravated by the fragmentation which leads to unnecessary duplication of capabilities, organisations and expenditures. Studies on the added value of EU spending show that by integrating European land forces, EU countries would be able to save substantial resources.

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It’s in our interests for a strong European Union and not a weak one ! It has to finish that The European Union lose further its image ! And for the EMU they should finally apply these damn missing federal rules to stabilize the growth and monetary system!
I will wake A. Hamilton from the grave !

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Joe Thorpe

16/10/2015 09:49

You & your federal friends will not get their hands on the command structures of British forces, we may work together with the EU & EU countries on a bilateral basis but if you think some muppet in Brussels is going to have their fingers directly in the pies of the UK military then you are seriously deluded. Do you seriously think some foreigner is going to get their hands on GCHQ? The Royal Navy? The RAF & the British Army? It is not going to happen not now not ever. You think the United States will continue it’s close… Read more »

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an european

16/10/2015 10:12

I give a Chunk on what you say ! You have Your British Union Military ?
So why not Europe ? And THIS is an European Matter and not an Thorpe or Cameron one !

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Joe Thorpe

16/10/2015 10:19

Put it this way when you go to a house party you bring a bottle, everyone brings a bottle or a slab but roughly the same value & everyone has a good time & all are happy. You & your loony friends want a party where the UK brings all the goodies & you get to drink & party with our toys for free. That’s not how it works. What is in it for us? With NATO we have a reciprocal policy of mutually assured defense. The EU member states can’t stop a few dingy boats running amok on it’s… Read more »

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YY

16/10/2015 16:31

What British forces? You mean the ones after the Welsh and Scottish went EU?
Cause that’ll be left of Little Brittain.

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ivan burrows

16/10/2015 18:43

In your dreams maybe, the reality is the Scot’s voted to stay in the UK knowing full well we are leaving your pointless EU.

Why would an EU dedicated to eradicating Nationalism admit an ultra Nationalistic Scotland ?, your argument is childish and typical for a pro federalist EU fanatic so at least you have a comedy value.

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cyltiatoday

19/10/2015 02:15

YY – That makes no sense whatsoever. Most of the army comes from England.

And we don’t want your European military, so you best suck it up and run along.

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ivan burrows

16/10/2015 16:19

It is in everyone’s interest to end the pointless EU.

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cyltiatoday

19/10/2015 02:13

I second what Joe Thorpe said. Keep your grubby hands off the British military.

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Starbuck

16/10/2015 09:57

” But France itself killed off the idea before it got off the ground.” that’s a very incorrect way to revisit history the initial Pleven plan put France and German forces at its core, both militarily and politically. initially, Germany was midly opened to the idea but once the US got wind of more detaioledplans, it put pressure on the German government to dilute its provisions, for fear that it might distract ressources (and control) from anti-soviet policies in the end, Germany which had the US boots on so many levels (and with its own domestic political situation), caved in.… Read more »

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Demos Kratia

16/10/2015 09:59

@an european
You are another amerikcan laquais (in heart&mind)!
Can someone with sain spirit imagine an common army when Europe lives a NewGermanDiktat?
There where peoples and contries are bashed on public place!
Go back to Dachau, it seems that the “Arbet Macht Frei” doors are open.

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an european

16/10/2015 10:39

YES You’re right I am Pro American ! I love strenghtness & Unity % solidarity ! I don’t see a new German Diktat but merely a 19 or 28 memberas conference discussion !! It’s a stupidity if you are willing to give me any lesson on NSDAP from 1945! Are you from Ukip ? What do you fear ? Your British Union Army could show some decline against the E.U. one ? About “Arbeiten macht Frei” .. There are parties like FN UKIP EDL Golden Dawn who share the same principles & Ideology which is in totally contradiction of the… Read more »

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Joe Thorpe

16/10/2015 10:53

You’re a chameleon with a brain disorder & a poor command of English

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an european

16/10/2015 14:49

.

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ivan burrows

16/10/2015 18:44

Probably the most intelligent thing you have said.

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ivan burrows

16/10/2015 11:17

Only you warmongering federalist fanatics want an EU army but without France & Great Britain you will just be units of the new Wehrmacht so Europe’s history will indeed repeat itself.

We are British and we fear no one, particularly not little European dictators.

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Demos Kratia

16/10/2015 14:45

What you call “strenghtness & Unity % solidarity” is Guantanamo, or ISIS (american result for USA-Sadam’s nuks research), or maybe Kunduz hospital bombing (sorry, war crime in Kunduz). Have you notice that lately, after Putin’s support in Syria the Iraq’s army (USA ally) can finaly make some little conquests of his own teritory? The last 12 month of USA&Comp “strenghtness & Unity % solidarity” action in Iraq was rather poor in results. The banana kind of american democracy has today tankforced the Kunduz hospital doors “in order to investigate on his own war crime”. You are completely wrong in my… Read more »

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ivan burrows

16/10/2015 11:14

The warmongering Europeans have learnt nothing from their history and are destined to repeat it.

Thank god we are leaving their pointless EU.

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an european

16/10/2015 14:57

And because of Unity…. you (not alone HERE ) likes to attack Europeans by saying we have nothing learnt from History !
What was what causes the wars nationalism or unity ?
Hey Nige – do you respect Winston Churchill ?

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ivan burrows

16/10/2015 16:26

As ‘Churchill once said : “If Britain must choose between Europe and the open sea, she must always choose the open sea”.

It is always a bunch of ‘Europeans’ with a plan to unite Europe under one flag & one anthem that starts Europe’s Wars . Fascism, Nazism, Communism and now Europeanism, the same crazed lust for power at any cost.

If you hate ‘Nationalism’ so much why are you federalist fanatics trying to force your fake European Nationalism onto the peoples of Europe ?

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YY

16/10/2015 15:58

It is clear that in an increasingly hostile world with increasingly larger enemies we need unity and efficiency. The fact that the Baltic states still feel insecure even with NATO support is a clear fact that the current defence logic is gone.
What are local Belgium tanks doing in Belgium? Or German planes in Germany? While they should be on the borders, protecting our common interest instead of creeping back in our narrow minded local village, hoping it would all go by and not caring of our brother Europeans.
United we stand, United we should (be able to) fight!

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Joe Thorpe

16/10/2015 16:05

Ask where are the Baltic states tanks? Why aren’t they deployed on “their” borders? Why are UK planes flying over their skies why aren’t they buying planes instead of like Poland (Gdansk) building airports & infrastructure with our money that nobody uses? The UK has no need for 500 tanks to defend the UK yet we have them (mostly in store) like the Baltic states should have them.

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YY

16/10/2015 16:19

You should know that the Baltic states (individually) are far too small to be able to pay for a army & navy & air force. You are exactly making my point.
Remember when Hitler took European countries one by one? Only after it was almost too late we united?
Let’s learn a little bit and be united before you have to teach your children Russian or Arabic.

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ivan burrows

16/10/2015 16:30

What Hitler’s Germany failed to do Merkel’s Germany & their puppets in Brussels are now completing.

How does it feel to be owned by Germany ?

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YY

16/10/2015 16:36

Like soo many Brits, you are living in WOII. And probably thinking it were the Brits who won the war and not the Americans and Soviets.
Having learned nothing of the strength of uniting instead of this isle thinking!
Thank god the Scots and Welsh are evolved!

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ivan burrows

16/10/2015 18:46

We know who won the war thanks & it was not the last bunch of crazed Europeans hell bent on ruling Europe.

Will you miss us when we leave your pointless EU or just our money ?

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YY

16/10/2015 16:48

Still playing the nazi card eh? You must be a slave driver. Cause one of your ancestors were.
Even a Merkel making mistakes could teach you civilization.
It’ll be a joy to see the egocentric Brits sink their ship, after which they’ll come begging.
It’ll be a joy to see the new British guest workers doing my household. Maybe I’ll throw them some fish and chips after a 16 hrs workday 😉

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Joe Thorpe

16/10/2015 17:11

You won’t have any fish when we leave, the fisheries are ours it will be us throwing you the shrimps

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ivan burrows

16/10/2015 18:47

lol, your federalist dream is dead and you are still planning on enslaving the British people ? ! lol

You really are priceless

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an european

21/10/2015 00:54

“United we stand, United we should (be able to) fight!” ! Love it ! And it’s not for nothing we have Typhoons and tons of common weaponry if the E.U. in case of an external threat . Of course too much standards have to fusionize to get the most efficiency as possible. It’s sad because actually the Company Eurofighter shows the path to go for but It is in my opinion budgetary limited ! They need more money for research and future prototypes of aircrafts because i don’t have seen no one besides permanently modernized typhoons for years ! Globalising… Read more »

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Joe Thorpe

16/10/2015 17:09

Then tell your government to put pressure on the EU to end CAP & divert that money towards security & defense. Why is half the budget of the EU wasted providing subsidies for farmers? what other industry gets these ludicrous subsidies? Your governments have chosen to spend the money on inefficient farmers while leaving the doors to external threats wide open, you makes your choices you get what you chose.

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YY

16/10/2015 17:30

Oh don’t worry, we’ll do that in time. That’s called development; nothing is build perfect from day one. In the meantime, we’ll look across the channel, watching the ruins, called contemporary British museum, develop.
So, how is the development of the nuclear sub now financially? Or are we just discussing some flaws on the mainland?

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Joe Thorpe

16/10/2015 17:37

You just keep watching sunshine, you never know, just like with Merkel’s refugee saga you might learn something from little old Blighty but I doubt it you will just carry on over the cliff top

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YY

16/10/2015 17:43

And now you’re going back to the Boer War. You Brits keep me laughing. It’s like watching a life museum 😀

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Joe Thorpe

16/10/2015 18:10

Well we won’t be fighting any future wars in Europe when you get fed up with each other that is a fact you can put in the bank

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ivan burrows

16/10/2015 18:50

Says a federalist fanatic who believes in a failed dogma created in the 1950’s to stop crazed Europeans from having armed forces & inflicting their Europeanism on the world lol, we are leaving & rejoining the free world but enjoy your EU of no job’s, no democracy & no future.

Do you think the French people will leave your decaying EU before or after the British people ?

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Demos Kratia

16/10/2015 19:04

We have to ger rid of our potbellied president first.
So, brits, show us the way!

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Gerry

16/10/2015 22:32

A European army is only ging to be of use if it is not an extension of the American military command. Europe is badly in need of organizing itself militarily but must also show that it has strong individual policies in all matters. Maybe just maybe a new Franco-German axis could achieve that. Sure there is plenty of military hardware in Europe, the place is full of it but their is no political unity not even a common viewpoint. All the weaponry has only ever been obtained to continue the historical mutual hostilities but not to defend or represent Europe… Read more »

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Joe Thorpe

16/10/2015 22:52

Actually aside from France I think you will find EU countries have lots of manpower but are very limited when it comes to big boys hardware

The beast of Satan will grow powerful and Europe will once again rule the world.

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evad666

17/10/2015 18:03

The beats of Satan is risen in the Middle East and will consume the Roman Empire.

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an european

21/10/2015 01:04

I like the Roman Empire when citizens between themselves lived in Peace during 300 Years unlike the history warzones Europe suffered after the fallen of the Empire !

It’s not for nothing the Americans have opted their ideology and maybe you could give a look on what’s written on the U.S. president’s seal !
Prise the European Republic !

Have a nice day Mr Stavers

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David Barneby

19/10/2015 05:01

I just read a heading , ” The EU does not need a CIA , it just needs intelligence “. Intelligence in the general sense is a major element lacking in every strata of the EU , commission and member states . Armies have to be cohesive units ; you cannot make an army out of a mixed bag of pacifists . Fighting soldiers have to trust one another , be under a command they know and trust , they are not going war or defense alongside a bunch of yellow bellies . Unless Europe attacks Russia in will never… Read more »

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eusebio manuel

04/05/2016 17:13

I must say that continued suport the European change ofeconomic security and social sustainable